Gimhana Perera
Cultural adaptation
Q: What advice can you offer to someone setting up in Indonesia for the first time?
A: Networking is most important when you move to Indonesia. There are several expat groups that you can join, where you can meet and develop relationships, as well understand and discuss similar problems either in business or to settle in.
Additionally, the Sri Lankan expat group Association of Sri Lankans in Indonesia (ASLI) is very active, and the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Indonesia and ASEAN Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage is always willing to help.
A good support network will help you settle in quickly.
Q: How have you adapted to the cultural differences between Sri Lanka and Indonesia?
A: Culturally, Indonesia is very similar to Sri Lanka and there are Indonesian traditions that are similar to Sri Lankan norms.
Both cultures emphasise strong family ties and community connections, often celebrating life events with communal gatherings and festivals that are spiritual and traditional.
A most appreciated trait is the religious harmony that Indonesians thrive on. And they’re very patient even when it comes to simple things like staying in queues until their turn or driving without honking during rush hour.
Q: What’s the work culture like in Jakarta compared to Sri Lanka?
A: To me, Indonesia’s work culture seems more laid-back than Sri Lanka’s.
For instance, most days, people come to work in business casual (batik shirts and trousers) instead of suits and ties. Most notably, discussions take place over coffee or a business meal and not necessarily in a meeting room.
One challenge is communication as most Indonesians aren’t comfortable with English. Understanding the tax and business laws can also be challenging because their regulations are generally not available in English.
Q: And what inspired you to establish a business that operates across Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the ASEAN region?
A: I wanted to leverage the global experience I gained while working as a manager for IBM over 15 years.
When I moved here to be with my wife, I felt that I could contribute to Sri Lanka’s growth by bringing our nation’s high quality and more advanced IT skills to Indonesia and other ASEAN countries.
With current technology, IT services can be provided remotely and Indonesia is in urgent need of tech that can help people communicate with each other across the country – especially since the capital is moving to Kalimantan, an island outside Jakarta.
Q: What are the cultural differences you’ve observed between Indonesia and Sri Lanka that impact business practices?
A: In Indonesia – especially Java where Jakarta is located – priority is given to Javanese culture and traditions over religion.
This means that the Javanese’s polite indirect way of communication rules over anything else. So people here tend to not be as straightforward as Sri Lankans.
I’ve noticed that the Indonesian workforce is balanced in terms of male and female participation, and it isn’t uncommon for women to be at the top of big companies. I also feel that Indonesians are better suited to marketing and sales, rather than analytical and technical roles.
Q: What advice can you offer to someone setting up in Indonesia for the first time?
A: Networking is most important when you move to Indonesia. There are several expat groups that you can join, where you can meet and develop relationships, as well understand and discuss similar problems either in business or to settle in.
Additionally, the Sri Lankan expat group Association of Sri Lankans in Indonesia (ASLI) is very active, and the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Indonesia and ASEAN Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage is always willing to help.
A good support network will help you settle in quickly.
Q: How have you adapted to the cultural differences between Sri Lanka and Indonesia?
A: Culturally, Indonesia is very similar to Sri Lanka and there are Indonesian traditions that are similar to Sri Lankan norms.
Both cultures emphasise strong family ties and community connections, often celebrating life events with communal gatherings and festivals that are spiritual and traditional.
A most appreciated trait is the religious harmony that Indonesians thrive on. And they’re very patient even when it comes to simple things like staying in queues until their turn or driving without honking during rush hour.
Q: What’s the work culture like in Jakarta compared to Sri Lanka?
A: To me, Indonesia’s work culture seems more laid-back than Sri Lanka’s.
For instance, most days, people come to work in business casual (batik shirts and trousers) instead of suits and ties. Most notably, discussions take place over coffee or a business meal and not necessarily in a meeting room.
One challenge is communication as most Indonesians aren’t comfortable with English. Understanding the tax and business laws can also be challenging because their regulations are generally not available in English.
Q: And what inspired you to establish a business that operates across Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the ASEAN region?
A: I wanted to leverage the global experience I gained while working as a manager for IBM over 15 years.
When I moved here to be with my wife, I felt that I could contribute to Sri Lanka’s growth by bringing our nation’s high quality and more advanced IT skills to Indonesia and other ASEAN countries.
With current technology, IT services can be provided remotely and Indonesia is in urgent need of tech that can help people communicate with each other across the country – especially since the capital is moving to Kalimantan, an island outside Jakarta.
Q: What are the cultural differences you’ve observed between Indonesia and Sri Lanka that impact business practices?
A: In Indonesia – especially Java where Jakarta is located – priority is given to Javanese culture and traditions over religion.
This means that the Javanese’s polite indirect way of communication rules over anything else. So people here tend to not be as straightforward as Sri Lankans.
I’ve noticed that the Indonesian workforce is balanced in terms of male and female participation, and it isn’t uncommon for women to be at the top of big companies. I also feel that Indonesians are better suited to marketing and sales, rather than analytical and technical roles.
FACT FILE
FAMILY
Brother – Thushara Perera (Group Director of Derana)
Sister – Thiyagi Perera (Managing Director of Salt in My Hair)
Father (he was an English teacher)
Mother (she is a housewife)
SCHOOLING
St. Anthony’s College
HIGHER EDUCATION
MBA – Sikkim Manipal University
DNIIT – NIIT Sri Lanka
PRESENT OCCUPATION
Director and Founding Partner – Silicon Surge and PT Silkon International Solusi
COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE
Indonesia
CITY OF RESIDENCE
Jakarta
CV IN A NUTSHELL
Gimhana Perera is responsible for overseeing the operations and driving strategic growth of Silicon Surge and PT Silkon International Solusi, in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the ASEAN region.
Thriving on building high performingteams, fostering a culture of innovation, and forging strong partnerships with clients and stakeholders, Perera also has experience in business development, strategic planning, team leadership, customer success and digital transformation.